I wanted to share a little more info on the c144 swap. I read about it and it seemed like a plug and play, but there is a bit of fabrication so, if you have a 4.2, like me, I want to give a more detailed write-up.

This youtube video (Part 1 - GM's CS144 Alternator Rebuilding, Alternator Repair ) shows a rebuild of a cs144, very good to watch. At 3:30 he talks about the better version to get.

Make sure you get 2 from the junkyard (one for a trail spare). Also, be sure to take all the bolts and nuts with you. You can take the alternators to any parts store for testing before installation. I got one from a caddy and one from a caprice. I didn't test them, but installed and it worked. The cadallic was better, because the alternator top bolt hole was threaded. You will see many of these caddilac's with them but look for the v8s.

You can buy the napa part # ec82 for the conversion from 10 si series to the cs series. Or you can search ebay for something like the following: I got mine for $15 on ebay.
NEW CONVERSION LEAD 10 SI SERIES ALTERNATOR TO CS SERIES ALTERNATOR

Now time to take the original alternator out after disconnecting the positive output and unplugging it. there are 2 bolts to loosen on the bracket, then take a 1/2" socket and put it in the alternator bracket to get the fan belt off. I have a 6 rib version, so this matches the cs144. Take off the alternator then the front and back bracket. The back bracket has 2 15mm bolts up underneath the ac bracket. I am not sure if these are still there if you don't have AC.

The first picture is the bracket next to the cs144. The 2nd picture shows where to cut (red line). You also need to drill out the hole a little larger where the arrow is. This is because the bolt holding the cs144 on is larger than the factory one.

Now that you have the brackets ready, start by bolting in the back bracket, then the top of the front bracket. Then install the adapter cable (Si to CS) Then bolt the top of the cs144 to the top of the front bracket. Now you can install the bottom of the front bracket that you cut and trimmed. Use a larger wrench and the 1/2" socket to get all the bolts to line it. It is a pain, but it will work. If not, maybe take it all out and trim the brackets some more.

Now time to wire it up. Plug the other end of the adapter into the original plug (two metal pins). Then look at the original positive wire that came off the alternator. It goes to the starter solenoid. It is on the firewall below the battery, between the battery and engine. There are two red wires going to one of the connectors. It has a 10mm nut. This is where you want to run the new wire. You can cut out or tape off the original red wire. I just taped mine off. Now take the 8 gauge wire, and connect one end to the back of the alternator that says bat. The other end should go to a 12 gauge fusible link. I could not find 12 gauge, so I used what the part store sold (14mm). It was about $5. Here is an example. You need to upgrade that wire because the alternator puts out more power.

i couldn;t remember what to get an alternator from the past time i went so i grabbed one from a chevy s10 pickup and it turned out to be 100 amps. not super charged but still better then our stock 80 amp units. it looks just like the one you put on so this mod would be identical for me to do

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